Most incidents at work are caused by unsafe acts or behaviors of employees. An estimated 96% of incidents involve fault on the part of the individual. Companies focus on promoting safe behaviors and addressing unsafe acts to make workplaces safer. There are several common reasons for unsafe acts, such as taking shortcuts due to time pressure, laziness, or lack of supervision. Other reasons include complacency from experience, overconfidence from experience or inexperience, ignoring rules or procedures, and having a generally poor attitude towards work or safety.

1. Topic: Unsafe acts/behaviors

2. Most incidents are caused by unsafe acts/behaviors:
An estimated 96 out of 100 people who are involved in an incident are at fault for it. Because of this fact,
companies spend much of their effort in making their workplaces safer by addressing the unsafe acts
and promoting safe behaviors of their employees.

3. Reasons for Unsafe Acts
There are many reasons individuals do unsafe
acts while at work.

4. Taking shortcuts
One of the most obvious reasons unsafe acts occur is because
individuals take shortcuts when completing their work.
Because of: Pressure of time; Lack of supervision; Laziness…

5. Being complacent
Being complacent is one of the hardest
things to address in the workplace.
Most of us have been doing the same job or
many years. As time goes on, we get
work and are not as diligent in addressing
the work.

6. Overconfidence
Much like complacency, overconfidence can come from
experience on the job. It can also come from inexperience.
Overconfidence during a work task, familiar or brand new,
leads to unsafe acts.

7. Ignoring rules or procedures
Most of the time, we all know what the rules or procedures for a
work task are. Through training, conversations, warning labels,
etc., we know what we are supposed to do. However, many
choose to forgo safety rules and procedures for a variety of
reasons.
Not developing, complying with rules or procedures is the most
common cause lead to fatality at work.

8. Poor attitude
Often times, the source of unsafe acts can be boiled down
to poor attitudes. Those individuals who have poor attitudes
when it comes to work or safety at work will show it through
their behavior.